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Spike Lee Wants Us to Respect Our White Allies: 'White People Have Died For Justice'
Spike Lee is well-respected as one of Hollywood’s biggest and blackest directors. On Friday, his latest, BlacKkKlansman arrives in theaters; the movie tells the story of Colorado Springs undercover detective Ron Stallworth, a black man who joined the Klu Klux Klan in the 1970s. Lee admits that he had never heard of Stallworth’s story, much…
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Is Watermelon Racist or Nah?
Did you know the watermelon is from Africa? Or that it’s actually a berry? And that they’re delicious AF? Yet given its history via racist white America, the watermelon can be triggering for black folks. “I refuse to eat fried chicken or watermelon in front of white people,” my friend told me during one of…
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MC Lyte Talks Racial Bias, Female Rap Beef and the Longevity of Hip-Hop
MC Lyte recently performed with a nostalgic lineup at the Cincinnati Music Festival, proving once again that black don’t crack. Lyte (born Lana Michelle Moorer) looks and sounds like what happens when you mind your business and drink water. As one of the largest R&B music festivals in America, CMF caters to the grown and…
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Danielle Brooks Shines Bright as Her Character Faces Darkness in Season 6 of Orange is the New Black
Orange is the New Black took Netflix by storm. The chronicle of a white woman’s prison sentence gave us glimpses into the world of women in prison, particularly women of color. From petty thieves to murderers, shows like OITNB remind us of the humanity in everyone. One of the standout performers on the show is…
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Judge of Characters: Stand Your Ground Only Works for White People
Florida’s Stand Your Ground law faced heavy scrutiny back in 2012 when George Zimmerman, a white-passing neighborhood watchman saw Trayvon Martin walking down the street minding his own business. Zimmerman deemed Trayvon scary and a “punk” and followed him. Their confrontation left Trayvon dead and his killer a free man. Stand Your Ground, which allows…
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The Root Packs the House for Very Smart Brothas' and The Glow Up's Boss Moves Event in Washington, D.C.
Do people still call Washington, D.C., Chocolate City? I’m asking for a friend and also because my people, my people, you guys showed up and showed out at our Very Smart Brothas and The Glow Up Boss Moves event on Thursday, July 19th—sponsored by Toyota—filling the Long View Gallery with beautiful boss blackness that could…
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Michael Arceneaux's Debut Book, I Can't Date Jesus is For Those Who Unapologetically Bop…With Chicken Wings
“I just want to be in Miss Tina’s book club,” Michael Arceneaux says in a matter-of-fact way as he’s chatting about life, love and all things Beyoncé when he bopped his way to The Root’s office for an interview. Writer, Houstonian, practicing homosexual, Beyoncé life partner and now, author, Michael Arceneaux just dropped his debut…
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Michael Bae Jordan Attempts to Use Milk Analogy to Explain His Love For Black Women
We love Michael B. Jordan. He’s a dreamy man with a face you wanna squeeze, but also lick. But his dating habits have left a lot to be desired by black women. Michael B. usually canoodles with the likes of Becky and Karen. And many black women are upset, mostly because they think they deserve…
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The Stand Your Ground Law Protects Shooter Who Killed Black Man Over Parking Space, Sheriff Says
Two men, Markeis McGlockton and Michael Drejka, got into an argument in a convenience Circle A Food store parking lot in Clearwater, Fla., over a parking spot. It’s been reported that Drejka was arguing with McGlockton’s girlfriend about them being parked in the handicap spot without a proper tag. That argument ended with McGlockton, who…
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Georgia Southern University Student Mistakenly Sends Racist Text About Another Student, Meant "Triggerish"
This is what happens when you mix racism and texting. A Georgia Southern University student, identified as Courtney Schaefer, sent a text message with the word, “niggerish” in it to a new roommate in a big moment of whooops! She claims she meant “triggerish.” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Schaefer had been paired with a…
